Automatic locking device for tracker mechanism.



W. A. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC LOOKING DEVICE FOR TRACKER MECHANISM.

K APPLICATION FILED MAY 31/1913. 1 ,1 1 2,242, Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

4 8HEETS-SHEET1.

, H l vI l I 1: E:

Z#0%we@@e6:

W. A. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE FOR TRACKER MECHANISM.

AYYLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1913.

1,1 12,242. Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z d-Z7ve66e5: jvwe 717 0 07! bri. QQOm-SLP ZZAJZZYJ W v6 walzfaor'g W. A. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC LOOKING DEVICE FOR TRACKER MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1913.

1,1 12,242, Patentd Sept. 29, 1914.

4 SHEBT$-SHHET 3.

. d i E J54? CI-ii 7' '42 i 2E?! In I 0017] ILqJ. 114g 7, f; 8 4 44 5 Q %4 1 k 4 9 g Z flilpiflim 4/ 4g "Q" .5. 2/ m In? z 49 \%%,//ZJ 6 4 44 4 a "4 a6 45 4 7 2% 8 6 3:2, im '7 I I fm 4/ 4" i 7/ 7/ 2Q 4 50 v/E Q --155 22 66 w /E r 7 2 7 a? 464 40 Z c'%7'0c2@6$.' frav/e 77/??9072' wZZp'amflZUa/%@07q W. A. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC LOOKING. 1mm]: FOR TRACKER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1913. 1 1 1 2,242, Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

a5 a W Ill). 'llll /jllfl 5W9 yaw jqa j Kw W 164137 7736 619625. E-u7/8W%OT.'

Q wdzzmm fl zz/tfi w WMM 'WILLIAM A. WATSON, OF MALDEN, MASSA COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHU CHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL PIANO SETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

v AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE FOR TRACKER MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed May 31, 1913. Serial No. 771,034.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIAM a citizen of the United States,

A. VVA'iSON, residing at ll'ialden, in the county ofMiddleseX and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Locking Devices for Tracker lvfechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to so-called automatic musical instruments, and refers particularly to. the note sheet mechanism thereof.

' For various reasons, which are well known, relative lateral displacement frequently occurs between the note sheet and the tracker bar, so that the perforations in the sheet do not accurately register with the apertures in the tracker bar.

Most pieces of music run through, from roll to roll in the spool box, correctly, if started right. As a matter of fact, however, it is not often that the sheet is started really. accurately.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means whereby the correctness of relationship of the note sheet and tracker bar can be secured once, and then the sheetleft to itself, because it will then usually run through straight.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the performer can, at will, bring the note sheet and tracker bar to positive alinement, or absolutely correct relative position, without requiring skill to effect the proper manipulation.

Several attempts have been made to maintain a correct registration between the note sheet and tracker bar, and one of such attempts in particular has resulted in a structure which causes a constant shifting of the music sheet, or of the tracker bar. This is undesirable because of the wear of the sheet. Then there is a constant lateral shifting, a series of small lines or grooves are formed in the hack of the note sheet, and repeated use of the sheet results in these lines crossing each other, so as to eventually dislodge fine particles or fibers which tend to clog the mechanism.

Another object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism iereby the proper relationship between the music sheet and the tracker bar once secured, is locked, so that the number of 'to the repeated useof the lines in the back of the paper due sheet, is reduced to the minimum. The present improved mechanism, however, provides means whereby the performer can, at any time, bring the parts back to proper relationship, if they do get out of that relationship after starting.

The mechanism which I have invented, never inaugurates the action of the shifting or correcting devices, but merely indicates to the performer that to cause the mechanism to restore the correct relationship. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, a button or valve is actuated by the performer in order to cause the mechanism to effect a shifting of the tracker bar or the note sheet, to correct relationship. Forconvenience of description, reference will hereinafter be made to shifting the tracker bar,- it being assumed that the spool box is mounted in stationary position. Obviously, however, the tracker bar might be secured in a stationary position and the spool box mounted so as to be shifted.

Of the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken out or in section, of so much of an instrument of the character described, as is necessary to illustrate the invention. Fig. 2 is a view similar to the upper portion of Fig. 1, but showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the proper relationship exists between the note sheet and the tracker bar. Fig. 3 is a perspective diagraimnatic view, illustrating some of the conduit connections. F ig. 4 is a plan view, partly broken out or in section. Figs. 5, 6. and 7, represent, respectively, sections on line 55, (3-43, and77 of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 being on a somewhat larger scale than the other figures. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention. tion on line 9 9 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 represents a. section on line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts in all of the views.

Referring first, to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the spool box 12, and the tracker bar 13, are of any well known or preferred form of constructirm. The studs 14 of the tracker crossing heis to do something bar are mounted in the spool box so that aperture 6 with the controlling pneumatic 34. The chambers a 6 are connected wlth i i I the chamber V by small vent or bleeding.

. ports a, 6

Referring to Fig. 1, 45 indicates a rail, or a key-bed, just below. thekeys 46 of the musi cal instrument. Supported by the rail 45, in convenient juxtaposition to the keys 46, are two push-buttons 47, each having astem 4S projecting downwardly through the rail. The two push-buttons are adapted to be actuated by the performer, ashereinafter described. The stems bear upon, so as to open, two valves 0, d, the ports controlled by said valves being connected respectively by means of pipes cl, with chambers 0 (1 in the upper block 24, (see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7). The two chambers 0 03 are covered by diaphragms 49, the chamber in the block 24: above said diaphragms being connected with the vacuum pipe 44, and being therefore indicated by the same reference character V as is employed for the correflhe block 24, is

buttons 47.

sponding chamber in the lower block 25.

provided with vertical. apertures 0 (i communicating with the chamber V, the stems of the two valves 0*, (Z being mounted in said apertures, the lower ends of said stemsbeing adapted to bear upon disks secured'to the diaphragms 49, the heads of the stems, or the' valves proper, being adapted to close the upper ends of the apertures 0 (i The apertures 0 (F, are connected, respectively, by ports 0 d, with the shifting pneumatics 29, 30, (Figs. 1 and 2, and dotted lines in Fig. 4)-

' So long as the relationship between the note sheet and tracker bar remains as indicated in Fig. 2, the registration being then proper, no occasion arises for the operation ofthe mechanism which I have de scribed. If the sheet, however, should be started wrong, or if for any reason, one of the ports a or b should become covered by the edge of the note sheet,'then the mechanism is put into condition to operate toreturn the parts to proper relationship as soon as the performer presses one of the push Supposing the relationship has become as indicated in Fig. 1, thus covering the port a. This shuts off atmospheric pressure inpipe a and chamber a (Fig. 7). Prior to this shutting off, the diaphragm 43 orchambe-r (L2, will have occupied the same upper position as that occupiedby the diaphragm over chamber 5 owing to the in chamber V. Air pressure being shut off in diaphragm 0. the diaphragm above it falls to the position shown in Fig. 7, this action being aided by the small port a, which transmits the vacuum to chamber a Valve a closes .the upper end of aperture a", and the result of suction in (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) so the pneumatic 33 acts lever 36 (Fig. 1) so that itseye 39 will no trolling pneumatic83, the latter collapsing, as indicated in Fig. 1. The bracket of upon the left-hand longer lock the rod 40. The mechanism is therefore putinto condition to operate to reattain the proper relationship of the note sheet and tracker bar by the performer depressing the left-hand button 47 (Fig. 1). )Vhile the performer might be able to noticethat the note sheet and tracker bar are in improper relationship, by the fact thatfone edge of the paper sheet is covering the port a, I prefer to provide an indicator which will emphasize the fact. Said indicator comprises a pointer 52 pivotally connected at 53 to a bracket 54 secured to one end of the tracker bar 13. A plate 57, which may bear the words Left and Right, is attached to a portion of the spool box 12, said edge of the note sheet 15.

The indicator pointer is so hung that gravity will cause it to follow lateral shifting of the note sheet to an extent that would permit the tip of the pointer to move practically over to the word Right, if the sheet should shift so as to cover the port 6, said pointer being pushed over toward the word Left when the note sheet covers the port If now the performer, noticing by means of the indicator, or otherwise, that the port a is covered, depresses the lefthand putton 47, air will be admitted to the pipe 0. At. this point it is to be understood that the vacuum or suction exists. in the chamber V of block 24 (Fig. 7), and that this suction is normally transmitted also to both of the chambers 0 d so long as neither valve (for (Z has been opened, and, consequently, the valves 0, d, would be normally in the position shown in Fig. 7. ."is soon as air has been admitted, .however, to pipe 0, by the act of the performer depressing the left-hand button 47, the vacuum in the chamber V, above chamber 0 results in the diaphragm 4:9 rising and lifting the valve 0', and opening the aperture 0'' to the atmosphere, the disk upon the diaphragn'i 49 closing the lower end of said aperture. This admits atmospheric airthrough port 0 to the pneumatic 29. Since the vacuum or suction has not been cut oil from the other shifting pneumatic 39, the two shifting pnemnat-ics move toward the left (being connected by the. link 31). so that, through the link 32, thelever 19 is actuatcd'to exert a pull upon the tracker bar as to again expose the port a which had been covered, thus restoring the relationship of the note sheet and tracker. bar,

as shown in Fig. 2. The reason why the shifting pneumatics can be so moved as thus describedpis that the parts when in the position shown in ,Fig. 1, cause the left-hand lever 36 to release the left-hand lock arm.

40. The right-hand arm 40 can be readily moved throughthe eye of the right-hand lever 36, because the upper end of that lever can be swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. In other words, either arm 40 can be pushed through the eye of its lever 36, because of the lost motion connections provided between the upper ends of the two levers 36 and the two brackets 35, the springs 38 immediately restoring the levers 36 to locking position so that neither arm 40 can be pulled through the eye. Either arm 40 can be pushed through the eye of its lever 36, but cannot be pulled, and therefore the two shifting pneumatics 29, 30, although movable in unison toward the right or the left, are normally locked and cannot be moved in either direction until one or the other of the two levers 36 has been shifted to unlock its arm 40,-by the collapsing of the controlling pneumatic 33 or 34. These two controlling pneumatics 33, 34, are put in condition to be collapsed by the covering of the port a, or the port I), by the note sheet.

Most of the foregoing description of operation relates to w'h at results from the covering of port' a. Obviously, the covering of port I), would result in similar operations, but through the pipe 6, chamber Z2 apcr ture I), valve b and port 6 to controlling pneumatic 34, so that if the port 6 should be covered by the note sheet, the result would be to actuate the lever 19 in the opposite direction to that hereinbefore de scribed, provided the performer depresses the ri ht-hand button 47 so as to admit air to pipe (Z', and the chamber (Z so that the lifting of the dia 'ihragz'in 49 over chamber (P, will lift the valve (5, so as to open the aperture (Z to atmospheric pressure, and then permit the latter to gain access to the shifting pneun'iatic 30, suction still then existing in pneun'iatic 20, the two pneumatics 9,9, 30, then swinging to the right and, through link 32 and lever 19, pushing the tracker bar toward thc'rigbt so as to again uncover port 7), and restore the proper relationship of the note sheet and tracker bar.

Figs; 8, 9, and 10 illustrate another cmbodimcnt of my invention, whereby a single push-button, or equivalent device, under the control of the performer, may be cm ployod for causing the motor to act in the proper direction, instead of the right and left-hand buttons illustrated in Fig. 1. In

Figs. 8 and 9, the reference characters which are the same as in the other figures, designate the same eleu'icnts as in the other fig- The block 24, however, is termed or 'formed with a passageway 63 through i3 the ends of said passageway being adapte to register alternately with the lower ends of the two ports, 0 d. A push-button and valve structure e which may be similar to either of the push-buttons 47 and valves 0, d, in Fig. 1, controls the lower end of the pipe 6, the other end of which communicates with the passage 63 in the switch block 61, so that when said switch block is oscillated, as hereinafter described, air may be admitted to one or the other of the two chambers 0 (F, according to the position of the switch. Said switch is provided with ears 64, 65, at its oaposite ends, said ears having depending r0 s 66, 67 provided with adjustable collars 68, the lower faces of which are engaged by lever arms 6), 70, carried respectively by the controlling pneumatics 33, 34'.

The operation ofthe mechanism illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, is as follows: If the note sheet 15 shifts one way or the other so as to cover one of the ports a or I), the result of action of the pneumatic 33, or 34, as hereinbciiore described, in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 7, will be to cause the lever arm of the controlling pneumatic which is collapsed, tolitt the depending rod which is engaged with that lever arm, so as to shift. the switch (provided said switch is not already in. proper position), so that when the operator then depresses the pushbutton a, air will be admitted to the proper chamber 0 or IV, to cause the motor pneumatics if), 30. to operate in the same manner hereinbe'lorc described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 7. Preferably, an indicator pointer will be used in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, S), and 10, s milar to that already described in counc .'licn with the other figures, so that the performer will more readily perceive the fact that a readjustment of the relationship of the note sheet and tracker bar is to be eitectcd, the

performer then simply actuating the pushbuttc-n c. It the proper controlling pneu matic 33, or is collapsed, the switch 61 is o course in proper position so that the depression of the push-button will cause the motor to act in thc proper direction. If the other port of the tracker bar becomes closed, the result will be, 01 course, to automatically cause the other one of the two controlling pneumatics to be collapsed, and this will oscillate the switch so that con'nnunication will be established from the pipe (3 to the proper port 0 or d, so that the depres- Q9, 30, together, constitute a motor actuat-' ing-the lever 19 to restore registration of the notesheet .and tracker bar, and the pneumatics 33, 34, constitute controlling mechanism for the motor pneumatics 29, 30. The controlling mechanism is governed by the note sheet, and when the position of the note sheet causes the controlling mechanism to release the motor, the performer can then set the motor in operation.

I claim: I

1. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar anda note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor for eflecting such shifting, controlling mechanism governed by the note sheet for placing the motor in condition to act, and means under the control of the performer for causing the inotor to act when placed in condition to act by said controlling mechanism.

2. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor for effecting such shifting, controlling mechanism governed by the note sheet for placing the motor in condition to act, an indicator to show the proper direction of shifting to secureregistration of the tracker bar and note sheet, and means under the selective control of the performer for causing the motor to act in the selected I direction when placed in condition to act by said controlling mechanism.

3. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a normally locked motor for effecting such shifting, lock-releasing devices governed by the note sheet, and manually controlled devices to cause-the motor to act when unlocked.

4:. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a tracker bar having ports spaced relatively to each other a distance greater than the width of the note sheet employed in connection with the tracker bar, a motor for restoring registration of the note sheet and tracker bar, controlling mechanism for placing the motor in condition to act, said mechanism beinggoverned by which one of the ports in the tracker bar may be covered by the note sheet, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor to act in a proper direction.

5. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet :support, one of which is shiftable relatively "to the other,

a motor comprisinga pair of connected pneumatics, connections between said pneumatics to restore registration between the note sheet and tracker bar, controlling mechanism governed by the note sheet for placing the motor in condition to act, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor to act when placed in condition to act by said controlling mechanism.

6. Mechanism. of the character described,,

comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor for effecting such shifting, a pair of independent controlling pneu' matics for the motor, connections for effecting the collapsing of either one of the controlling pneumatics according to the relative position of the note sheet and tracker bar, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor to act.

7. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor comprising a pair of connected pneumatics, connections with said motor for eilecting relative shifting of the note sheet and tracker bar, said motor pneumatics having arms, a pair of controlling pneumatics, levers adapted to be actuated by the controlling pneumatics, said levers having means for locking the arms ofthe motor pneumatics when in one position, and means under the control of the performer for'causing the motor to act when unlocked.

8. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of Which'is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor comprising a pair of connected pneumatics, connections with said motor for efiectin note sheet and trac er bar, said motor pneumatics having arms, a pair of controlling pneumatics, levers adapted to be actuated'by the controlling pneumatics,-said levers having means for locking the arms of the motor penumatics when in one position,'the levers having eyes through which the arms of the motor pneumatics pass, said eyes being adapted to bind the arms, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor to act when unlocked.

9. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of whlch is shiftable relatively 'to the other, a. motor comprising a pair of connected pneumatics, connect-ions with said motor :for effecting relative shifting of the note sheet and tracker bar, said motor pneumatics having arms, a pair of controlling pneumatics, levers adapted to be actuated by the controlling pneumatics, said levers having means forlocking the arms of the motor pneumatics when in one position, the levers and a note-sheet relative shifting of the having eyes through which the arms of the motor pneumatics pass, said eyes belng adapted tovbind the arms, lost motion connections being provided between the levers and controlling pneumatics, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor to act when unlocked.

10. Mechanism of the character described, comprising a tracker bar and a note-sheet support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a frame having upper and lower chambered blocks, a pairof motor pneumatics having ports connected with the chambers of the upper block, a pair of controlling pneumatics having ports communicating with the chambers of the lower block, connect-ions with the power pneumatics to effect relative shifting of the tracker bar and note sheet, connections for governing the action of the controlling pnumatics by the relative positions of the tracker bar and note sheet, and means under the control of the performer for causing the motor pneumatics to act.

11. Mechanism of the character dBSCl'lDi-L comprising a tracker bar and a note-sh t support, one of which is shiftable relatively to the other, a motor for effecting such shifting, controlling mechanism for the motor governed by the note sheet, an indicator pointer pivotally supported by the t" bar and adapted to bear against one the note sheet to indicate changes tive positions of the note sheet and t- 1 bar, and means under the selective control of the performer for causing the motor to act in the selected direction.

In testimony whereof I have a signature, in presence of two witnes WILLIAM A. W'A

'Witnesses:

C. F. BRoWN, P. N. Pnzzrl'rtri. 

